New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-05-16
PRAC1TOB Ar CREEDMOOR.
THE VOLUNTARY SYSTEM APPROVED.


ADJUTANT-GENERAL PORTER PLEASED WITH THE
SUCCESS OF THE INNOVATION.
tFRoM THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE TrBUSEJ
ALBANY, May Northumberland Porter is de-
lighted with tho OF the innovation OF per-
hitting soldiers Of the National Guard to visit the
State rife range at CreedmoOr Long Island, at their
own WILL and engage in rife practice at the States
expense. Formerly most Of the men only obtained
rife practice In sort Of compulsory manner. They
were marched with their regiment TO Creedmoor once
year and thore In set fashion put to shooting az
target The day when regiment has thus visited
Croedmo6f has frequently been unpropitious one
hot and muggy, foggy Little benefit has thus come
from the practice and tho men have felt disguised
with the drill There has been obviously declining
interest In the rife shooting as result OF the system
The AdjuantGeneral believed that the men could be
induced to give their time to rife practice II theS
wero given the privilege Of visiting the grounds on
days selected by them and II the State assumed the
expense Of the railroad journey. Early In May there
fore tho Creedmoor grounds were thrown open ana
General Robbins, tho director Of rife practice, with
hia assistants assumed charge Of the men coming TO
Creedmoof to practice. General Robbins was rather
sceptcal as to tho Of voluntary practice, and
accordingly only asked for H. 900 rounds Of ammun
ton Those havo been exhausted and he has been
given 100000 rounds more. Moreover what has es-
pecially pleased the Adjutant-General, large num-
bei OF members OF regiments that are backward III
own accord and practsed in tho range. The visit to
tho range has had all the atractiveness of picnic
at the States expense, and the chance 10 improve III
workmanship. Yesterday the Adjutant General was
asked II no was well satisfied with the success OF
tho experiment that no would continue it He re-
piled:
ayes: am so well satisfied with the innovation
that shall continue 1t certain days throughout the
season of rHo shooting. We have had twelve days OF
this voluntary practice already"
"whai arc the conditions necessary for admission
to tho rangcl" inquired THE TRIBUNE coucspon-
dent
"On the voluntary days." replied tho Adlutant-
General any man belonging TO the First or second
Brigades who may be furnished with certificate from
his commanding officer, can go to tho range ana nave
few hours shooting. He can do this not ohS
without expense himself for transportation ana am
munion but without tho inconvenience, fatigue and
loss of time incurred when he goes there with his
regiment"
"Wha is tho difference between the old system and
tho new one tho ono you trying to establish"
Heretofore the State has offered no encouragement
70 individual practice. Regiments have been ordered
to tho range for day each year. with the privilege
of a second day at their own expense the state Iur
nishing transportation and ammunition only on inc
arst day. On these occasions a man goes 10 MS
armory early In tho morning, loads himself up with
his arms and equipments generally with his oVcrcoaI
and not infrequently with knapsack, haversack and
canteen, makes long march to tho ferry ana arrN
Ing the range Is perhaps put on guard ana Is oer
tainy moved about from point to point by orders ana
kept all day under strict military control 40 not
wish TO be understood ne in any manner Directing TO
having things conducted according TO the strictest
military regulations. When organization Is taken
to tho range, tho military relations should be re-
spected and discipline constantly pre- served uere u
elsewhere. But under the circumstances have men
toned, 1T is not difficult to see that man Is nG
brought to the target under the most favorable CON
dltoIs either for making score Oh for receiving III
structlon. A., ,,.. 49,.
some radical changes should DO made In our inode OF
conducting rife shooting; What may designate as
th0 COMPULSORY system is at the bottom OF the un-
popularity into which Crcedmcor has more OF less
fallen for Sa past ba T tn hs Principal
son that there is much less enthusiasm about rne
practice now than there used to DO. Certainly IN |
niany regiments duty at Creedmoor as have de-
scribed 1t has come TO be considered HaSone !, ~
hoped that by giving announcement TO indlNduai
practice We may awaken renewed Interest In tho sub
@The success Of the experiment thus far has been
exceedingly gratifying. More than hundred voiun- !
have rorted every day tat the range h gen
men that most desired 10 reach, viz: not The
old shooting men but new men ana men NJ
Rifle Practice IL on hand every day with several com
portunity lmpart valuable advice and instruction
without subjectng the men to gniavSraee conditions.
ketry at Creednoor and shal DO what we can to OK
"There is something which 1t would appear might
well DO dono in this connection with advantage.
mean that / reason why man VINO may
the requisite any one Of these days should
not DO permitted TO avail themselves OF II, ~ ne 80
the present practice he only obtain it on the days
when his regiment Is ordered TO the range or IN OFT
tain authorized matches There are many men who |
cannot afford TO indulge In match shooting and zee |
no reason why they should DO put at dsadvantage
But it is only fair TO say that there are officers
prominent in rife matters who do not agree with me
In this matter. which TO my thinking would DC |
decided movement in advance.
~ believe that the secret Of promoting RHO prac.
tce nj fhe present time lies the encouragement OF
Individual practice at the ranges. But do not mean
to say that there should be no such thing as oompu
sory practice Instruction in sighting and aiming |
shoun bo compulsory IN tho armores. Men who DO
for voluntary practice should be compelled 20 go 10
tho ranges under orders at least once during the year
and 10 fire certain number OF shots. OF course the
number of days ranges be kept open for mefn-
hers OF the Guard will DO limited by the funds at our
disuosaI There ia every dsDositiOn to he liberal
az possible. Money expended In this manner is well
Invested for the State"